Fear Falls Burning — Frenzy Of The Absolute

When you put on Frenzy Of The Absolute, the new album by Dirk Serries (formerly operating under the name vidnaObmana), the difference with earlier Fear Falls Burning releases is instantly clear. A hit on a cymbal and a bassdrum: yes, there's drums this time.

The looped and processed guitar which were the main building blocks of the doomridden constructions of earlier albums are complemented by very slow drum rhythms, but not seldomly percussion is implemented as textural as the guitars. The opening titletrack drums are played by Tim Bertilsson of Sweden's Switchblade. The bowed cymbals for instance in He Contemplates The Sign (percussion courtesy of Dave Vanderplas), the slowly crawling result is a bit more regular FFB. We Took The Deafening Murmur Down is built on a three-note riff that marches us stately towards the end of the album, slowly building towards a massive and pastoral, but ultimately abrupt, end. Extra guitar comes from Johannes Persson and drums are played by Magnus Lindberg, both of the (also Swedish) postcore band Cult Of Luna.

The addition of percussion brings a nice new approach to the table, although the past shows that Serries is open for different things and if this will be anything definitive remains to be seen. Frenzy Of The Absolute is a solid release without being revolutionary.